# NTSB CEN09CA305: Flight Design CT2K, N433CT, Mitchell, SD, May 13, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 13, 2009, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Mitchell, SD - Coordinates: 43.774723, -98.038612 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7747&lon=-98.0386&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Rapid City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73862 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA305 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73862/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73862 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA305 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusting winds during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Flight Design CT2K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=0600002), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Flight Design CT2K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=0600002), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Flight Design CT2K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0600002), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Flight Design CT2K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=0600002), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Flight Design CT2K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=0600002), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that as he approached the destination airport he listened to the automated weather conditions. The reported conditions included winds from 290 degrees at 25 knots gusting to 35 knots. The pilot stated that he flew an extended downwind to Runway 30 in order to ensure runway alignment. On final approach, he increased his speed and used less flap extension to allow for the gusting wind conditions. He stated that when the airplane was about to touch down, a gust of wind raised the airplane into the air and then the airplane dropped abruptly to the runway. When the airplane impacted the runway, the nose landing gear and right main landing gear collapsed. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported no preaccident malfunctions of the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that as he approached the destination airport he listened to the automated weather conditions. The reported conditions included winds from 290 degrees at 25 knots gusting to 35 knots. The pilot stated that he flew an extended downwind to Runway 30 in order to ensure runway alignment. On final approach, he increased his speed and used less flap extension to allow for the gusting wind conditions. He stated that when the airplane was about to touch down, a gust of wind raised the airplane into the air and then the airplane dropped abruptly to the runway. When the airplane impacted the runway, the nose landing gear and right main landing gear collapsed. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported no preaccident malfunctions of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N433CT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N433CT), registered now, S/N 02.08.04.33, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FLIGHT DESIGN GMBH CT2K - Registry model: [Flight Design CT2K](https://openairdocs.org/model/flight-design-ct2k) (registry code 0600002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 02.08.04.33 - Airframe hours: 449 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 2009 - Departed: MN65, Maple Plain, MN - Destination: MHE, Mitchell, SD - Airport: MHE, Mitchell Municipal Airport, runway 30, 6,700 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: left; flight hours: 527 total, 130 in this make and model, 525 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 290° at 18 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.70 inHg - Observed at: MHE ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20090513012569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090513012569A), May 13, 2009: Flight CT2K, Mitchell, SD, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 13, 2009 a light sport aircraft departed a private strip in maple plain, MN with a final destination to dalhart, TX (dht). While making a fuel… ## Other investigations on N433CT (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB GAA19CA495](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA495), Aug 16, 2019: Flight Design CT2K (N433CT), Hooper, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, an off-airport landing to a field, and a subsequent nose-over. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73862. 519 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 519 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314514&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.